Muvar Koil & Aivar Koil / கொடும்பாளூர் மூவர் கோயில் மற்றும் ஐவர் கோயில், Kodumbalur, Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Kodumbalur Muvar Koil & Aivar Koil at Kodumbalur was a part of Heritage Visit to temples around Keeranur in Pudukkottai District, organized by “Yaaooyakay – யாஊயாகே” group on 2^nd and 3^rd, October 2021.

 

Moolavar         : Sri Varaguneswarar, Vikrama Bhutheeswarar

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

This group of temples are facing west.The remains of the of temples Muvar temples like Nandi, Stupi, Shiva Linga banas, Sculptures, Pillar remains are kept in display at the entrance of the Complex.

ARCHITECTURE

This temple is believed to be the forerunner for the Thanjavur Rajarajecharam. The architecture of this temple holds an important position in the history of South Indian temple architecture. Even though this temple is being called as Muvar Koil, only two are there now. The construction is very simple, but looks elegant. The sculptures are beautifully carved. The height of the sanctum measures 34 feet with Kathali type in side Vimana.   

The temples are constructed from south to north facing west with 16 parivara shrines ( For Ashtadikpalakas, Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai, Vinayagar, Murugan, Agni, Bhairavar, Indran, etc,. ). In that only two sanctum sanctorums are exists. Only a Shiva Linga panam is in one of the Sanctum Sanctorum.

Gangadharar, Pichadanar, Veenadharar, Uma Maheswarar, Gajasamharamurthy, Ardhanareeswarar, Thiripurasamharar,  Shiva who holds himself ) Bhutaganas, Elephant yazhi with big nails are on the Vimana. 

The outer wall is found in dilapidated condition. There is also a round well on the south east corner of the temple Complex. This temple was reconstructed and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ).

Lord Shiva Holding himself as Shiva Linga 

Inside view of the Vimana -Kathalika

Malai Thongal 

AIVAR TEMPLE

This temple might have been constructed on the east side of the Muvar Temple. These temples may be older than the Muvar temple. The main shrine was located at the centre keeping 4 Sub Shrines on all the 4 corners. The Shires might have separate Vimanas and mandapas with Rishabas. But now only base is exists.  

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This place kodumbalur was mentioned in one of the sangam literature Silapathikaram as … கொடும்பை நெடுங்குளக் கோட்டகம் புக்கால் ( சிலபதிகாரம் 11-17 ). This place Kodumbalur was on the peruvazhi between Chozha’s Capital and Uraiyur and Pandya’s capital Madurai. This place was ruled by the small regional kings Velirs under Chozha Dynasty. Kodumbalur also mentioned in Idangazhi Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmar puranam ( Periya Puranam ) as “கோனாட்டுக் கொடிநகரம்”

The Inscription of the centre shrine wall belongs to Bhuthi Vikrama Kesari, one of the Velir king under Chozha King Sundara Chozha Parantaka-II.  This 10^th Century inscription records the 9 generations ( 49.. ? ) of Velirs and Bhuthi Vikrama Kesari’s name figured at the last. This records the construction of the middle temple in his name and other two are in the name of his wives Varagunavatti and KaRRalai Piratti. The inscription also mentions his sons names as Parantakavarman and Adhita varman. The temples are called as Varaguneswaram and Vikrama Bhutheeswaram.

The above inscription further mentions that he established a mutt for Mallikarjunan, the head of Kalamukhas, one of the Shaiva sect, and gifted many Villages for feeding to 50 Kalamukhas daily. 

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 1 KM off from Pudukottai – Manaparai Main road.

The temple is about 10 KM from Viralimalai, 38 KM from Tiruchirappalli, 40 KM from Pudukkottai, 40 KM from Keeranur and 366 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Tiruchirappalli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Lord Shiva as Gangadharar

Lord Shiva as Veenadharar

Samaratharis

Uma Maherwarar

Lord Shiva and Parvati

Ardhanareeswarar as Ganga visajjanar

Nandhi with Bhuta ganas

Ganesha with Bhuta Ganas

Thiripurantakar

Gaja Samharar

Lord Shiva Holding Himself

The remains

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---